21st October 2018

If BIM is the answer…

Thomasons started reaping the benefits of building information modelling (BIM) in 2007. We’ve worked on BIM level 2 projects in healthcare, retail, commercial and education. Most recently, following government mandate, we added Chase Farm Hospital to this growing portfolio. Achieving this level has involved extensive external training, dispersing new ideas through internal communication and constantly reviewing all processes.

Contrary to popular belief, BIM is not merely a 3D drawing package, at least not anymore. As it has matured to level 2, BIM now offers collaboration previously unseen between stakeholders using shared data in a common environment. When adopted by all, from planning through to realisation, it’s easy to understand how powerful the BIM environment is, increasing efficiency and minimising risk.

While level 2 involves a common data environment (CDE) shared between stakeholders, each group uses software specific to its discipline. Within Thomasons, for example, the civil engineering department uses Civils 3D and the structures team uses Revit, each discipline having their own design platforms to integrate model data into the process.

A wholly BIM level 2 project requires many parts including employer’s information requirements (EIR) and rules on published data (BEP) and includes 3D modelling by all stakeholders. Thomasons is working towards incorporating BIM seamlessly into its workflow across the board.

Thomasons Associate and BIM Manager Mark Asplin comments, “Digital BIM enables us to offer better value to clients. Looking forward; to enhance collaboration, we are looking to move from planning to construction using geospatial tools to encompass civils and structural work as an entire workflow. This is only possible with good internal communication and project management.”